MILLENNIALS get ready for a huge injection of nostalgia as we take a trip down memory lane and see where the stars of ITV’s Children’s Ward have ended up.
Created by legendary writer Paul Abbott, who produced the shows Shameless and No Offence, and Kay Mellor, creator of The Syndicate and Fat Friends, it aired from 15 March 1989 until 4 May 2000.
The programme was set in Ward B1, the children’s ward of the fictitious South Park Hospital, known as Sparky’s, and told the stories of the young patients and the staff present there.
The show was a ratings smash and began the careers of many soap stars like Danny Dyer, Samia Longchambon, and Will Mellor. Fancy a look at the then and now pics to see how much they’ve changed?Read on…
Jane Danson
Jane’s hardly changed at all. The actress has been a part of Coronation Street since 1997[/caption]
Jane went on to join Coronation Street in 1997 (get ready for that; there are a few more coming), landing the role of Leanne Battersby.
The versatile actress has been involved with a number of high-octane storylines, including numerous affairs, drug abuse, insurance fraud, discovering who her biological mother was, a miscarriage, an abortion and a custody battle for Peter Barlow’s son, Simon.
Stephen Graham
Who knew Combo from This Is England started off on Children’s Ward?
The 51-year-old actor began in 1990 as Micky Bell and although he was only in the show for two episodes, he’s arguably the biggest star to come out of it.
Shooting to stardom as Tommy in the film Snatch, it was quickly followed by Band of Brothers, Gangs of New York, This Is England, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Danny Dyer
Just look at baby-faced Danny Dyer, who was just 12 years old when he joined Children’s Ward in 1989 as Tony.
The actor stayed on the show for a year, but that wasn’t the end of his career. Aged 16, he landed several roles including Prime Suspect 3, Cadfael, A Touch of Frost, Loved Up, Thief Takers, Highlander and Soldier Soldier.
With an illustrious film career to boot, Danny stole the hearts of the nation when he joined EastEnders in 2013 as Mick Carter and staying on the Square for almost 10 years.
Tim Vincent
Tim was just 15 years old when he played Billy Ryan on Children’s Ward and stayed there for six series. He joined Blue Peter as a presenter in 1993.
During his time with the programme he flew a fighter jet, successfully completed the New York Marathon and travelled to South Africa.
After hanging up his badge in 1997, he presented The Clothes Show and Short Change, Children’s BBC’s answer to Watchdog. In 2000 Tim returned to acting to play vet Adam Forrester in Emmerdale.
Tina O’Brien
Tina O’Brien joined Coronation Street in 1999 when she was 16 years old, taking on the role of Sarah Platt.
The character caused controversy when she fell pregnant at 13 and gave birth to her daughter Bethany.
Over the years, Tina has been part of a number of controversial storylines while on the cobbles. The actress also joined Waterloo Road in 2010 and stayed for the entirety of series six.
The mum-of-two rejoined Coronation Street in 2015.
Samia Longchambon
Yep, it’s another Coronation Street star. You have to wonder who’d be treading the Cobbles if it wasn’t for Children’s Ward.
After appearing on the show she got her big break when she scored the role of Maria on the soap – after fighting off Suzanne Shaw and Kimberley Walsh.
Since joining Weatherfield in 2000, Samia has also appeared as a contestant on the eighth series of Dancing on Ice in 2013 and won the third series of Cooking with the Stars in 2023.
Chris Bisson
Chris was JJ on the show, and he’s carved out a brilliant acting career since.
After his stint on Children’s Ward, Chris has also appeared in Casualty, Hotel Babylon, Shameless, Prime Suspect, Doctors, and Holby City
The star joined Coronation Street as Vikram Desai, appeared as Kash Karib in Shameless, and most recently as Jai Sharma in Emmerdale.
The proud dad of two has been on the ITV soap since 2009. He also went into the jungle for I’m A Celeb in 2003.
Will Mellor
Will starred as Ben Rowlingson in the series, and it was his first big role.
Best known for his role of Jambo Bolton in Hollyoaks, Will later starred as Gaz Wilkinson in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps alongside fellow Children’s Ward star Ralf Little.
He’s also appeared in EastEnders as Warren Stamp, DC Spike Tanner in No Offence, Steve Connolly in Broadchurch, Georgie in Barking! and Ollie Curry in White Van Man.
William Ash
William’s had a huge career since Children’s Ward and is one of those faces you will definitely recognise.
His credits include Waterloo Road, Shameless and Doctor Who, before joining Emmerdale as Caleb Miligan in December 2022.
Alan Halsall
Yes, it’s another one who now rocks Weatherfield, but before he was Tyrone, Alan starred on Children’s Ward.
He’s since been nominated for soap awards for his Corrie role, plus he appeared in Heartbeat and Queer as Folk.
He took part in the 2024 series of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
Ralf Little
Amazingly, this is one who isn’t best known for being on a soap.
Ralf started out on Children’s Ward, but he shot to fame for possible his biggest role as Antony in The Royle Family.
He’s got a massive CV too, including appearing in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Heartbeat, Lewis and The Cafe.
Ralf took the lead on BBC drama, Death in Paradise playing DI Neville Parker from series 9 through to series 13, having taken over for Ardal O’Hanlon in 2020.
